Refrigerator drawer



Sept. 17, 1935. A, J FELTAULT 2,014,647

' REFRIGERATOR DRAWER Filed July 24, 1951 4 Shecs-Sheet 1 Z5 p INVENTOR 32 Arflbu'zfikl aalt,

Se t. 17, 1935. A, J FELTAULT Y 2,014,647

REFRIGERATOR DRAWER Filed July 24, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lllnllpi V INVENTOR Sept. 17,1935. J, FELTAULT I 2,014,647

REFRIGERATOR DRAWER Filed July 24, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR Sept. 17, 1935. 1 J, FELTAULT 2,014,647

REFRIGERATOR DRAWER Filed July 24, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR A TToRiY Patented Sept. 17, 1935 NETE STATES PATENT OFFIQE REFRIGERATOR DRAWER New York Application July 24, 1931, Serial No. 552,847

4 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to refrigeration, and has particular reference to the removable drawers of household refrigerators, especially of the mechanical variety.

A general object of my invention is to provide a drawer which is so constructed that it may be used in the production of frozen desserts. With this object in view, my present invention relates generally to a drawer consisting of a tray adapted to accommodate a fluid to be frozen, together with a cover therefor, and means for agitating the fluid accommodated in the tray.

It is a particular object of my invention to provide a drawer of the character referred to wherein the interior of the tray is entirely devoid of extraneous pieces of mechanism, other than one or more agitating devices which must of necessity extend into the tray and into the fluid which is to be agitated.

One of the features of my present invention lies in providing an arrangement whereby one or more agitators, adapted to be accommodated within the drawer, may be not only caused to function for agitating purposes, as by rotation thereof, but may simultaneously be moved bodily through the drawer so that all portions of the fluid contained in the drawer may be subjected to the agitating action.

Another feature of my invention lies in providing a control means for the agitators which is mounted in its entirety on the exterior of the drawer, and, more especially, on the exterior of the cover. In a preferred embodiment, the cover is provided with one or more slots through which the agitator or agitators within the drawer may be operatively associated with the control mechanism on the exterior of the drawer. In another embodiment, the drawer cover itself serves as the control means for actuating and operating the agitator or agitators.

A still further feature of my invention lies in the provision of an arrangement wherein the control means for the agitator or agitators is of a reciprocable nature, preferably adapted to be reciprocated longitudinally of the drawer by means of a graspable handle or the like at the front of the drawer. This arrangement dispenses almost entirely with any necessity for undesirable bearings, shafts, bushings, cranks, and the like, and provides a simple and expedient means for the ordinary user of the device to operate the same in an eincient and satisfactory manner.

One of the main features of my invention lies in an arrangement whereby the reciprocation of a control member in the manner mentioned Will automatically serve not only to move the agitator bodily through the tray but also to rotate or otherwise move the same for agitating purposes. In the embodiments herein illustrated and hereinafter to be described, I have shown the possible arrangement of a relatively fixed guide member, such as a rack, adapted to cooperate with and be engaged by rotative means, such as gears, which are mounted upon and controlled in their movement by the reciprocable control member.

It is a general object of my invention to provide a device of extreme simplicity, which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, simple to install and operate, efficient and reliable in use, easy to clean and to keep clean, and comprising a minimum of movable or adjustable parts so as to be completely feasible and workable from a practical standpoint. Furthermore, the device is of a character which may be installed without any readjustments or reconstructions into refrigerators of the character already on the market.

I achieve the foregoing objects and advantages, and such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter appear or vbe pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a perspective view of a typical refrigerator showing my device in position therein;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the removable drawer by itself;

Figurei3 is aplan view of Figure 2 Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially along the line 55 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View taken substantially along the line 6-43 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, taken substantially along the line 'l'! of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is an enlarged bottom view of the front portion of the drawer taken substantially along the line 88 of Figure 4;

Figure '9--is-an exploded View of one of the agitators;

Figure 10 is an exploded view of certain of the parts to be associated with the agitator;

Figure 11 is a plan view similar to Figure 3 showing a modification;

Figure 12 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line I2l2 of Figure 11;

Figure 13 isafragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line l3-l3 of Figure 11; and

Figure 14 is an enlarged detail view taken substantially along the line I l-l4. of Figure 13.

In Figure 1, I have shown a typical refrigerator 20 of the character wherein a chamber 2| is provided with spaces to accommodate removable refrigerator drawers 22. My present invention relates to a drawer of this character, and the lower drawer 22 of Figure 1 has been shown provided with a graspable handle of the character hereinafter to be described in greater detail, this drawer embodying the features of my present invention and showing the manner in which the drawer is positioned within the refrigerator when it is in use. In Figure 2, I have shown the drawer by itself. In addition to a tray portion 23, it is provided with a lid or cover 24. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2-10, the cover 24 is provided with the two longitudinal slots 25 and 26.

Mounted in the cover 24 is a reciprocable control member, the details of which will be presently described and which includes a top plate 21 having an enlarged rear portion, a relatively narrow forward portion which overlies the cover 24 between the slots 25 and 26 and a forward, manually graspable handle 28.

The cover 24 is preferably applicable to the tray 23 in the manner illustrated most clearly in Figures 4-8. The upper edges of the tray 23 are provided with the outwardly and downwardly-turned flanges 29; and the cover 24 is provided at the front and sides with a downwardly-turned flange 30 which snugly engages over the flanges 29. At the rear, the flange 30 has a portion 3| adapted to engage underneath the rear flange 29 in the manner illustrated in Figures 4 and 6, this engagement holding the cover in firmer association with the tray during the employment of the latter.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the cover is adapted to be secured in flrm association with the tray by means of an arrangement of the character shown in Figures 3, 4, and 8. I have shown the forward portion of the flange 30 provided with a forwardly disposed lip or the like 32; and pivoted to this lip, as at 33, is a disc 35 provided with a handle 35. One edge of the disc 32 is flattened, as at 36, so that when the handle 35 is swung into the position of Figure 8 the disc 34 will not interfere with a lifting of the cover. When the handle 35 is swung into the dot-anddash position of Figure 8, however, the unflattened portion of the disc 34 will engage under the flange 29 of the tray 23, whereby removal or accidental displacement of the cover is positively prevented. If desired, an arrangement may be provided whereby the graspable handle 28 may not be manipulated or grasped unless the cover is locked to the tray.

Mounted on the cover, as by means of rivets 3'! or the like, is a guide member which I have shown in the form of a rack 38 having teeth on its opposite longitudinal edges. This rack is of a width substantially narrower than the space between the slots 25 and 26, as shown most clearly in Figure 3. Preferably, this rack is of T- shaped cross-section, as shown in Figure 5, the rivets 37 extending through the stem of the T and leaving a space beneath each of the toothed portions of the rack, for a purpose presently to be described.

Carried by the plate 21 at its rear portion are two agitators, each of which is preferably, though not necessarily, constructed as shown in Figures 9 and 10. Referring to these figures, it will be seen that I have shown a pair of U-shaped straps 39 secured to each other, as at 49, at their midportions. A cross-shaped strap 4| is provided at its center with a squared opening .2 and has downturned ends 23 adapted to be connected, as by means of rivets 44 or the like, with the upper ends of the straps 39. The hole 42 is adapted to fit snugly over the squared portion 45 of a gear 46, the portion 45 being formed at the end of a circular portion 4'! adapted to fit snugly, but not too snugly, within one of the slots 25-26. The assembly may be completed by means of a threaded stud 48 adapted to extend downwardly through the center of the gear 46 and to accommodate a washer 49 and a nut 50 at its lower end, the washer 49 bearing upwardly against the under-surface of the cross-shaped piece H.

The stud 48 is preferably provided with a rounded head 5| immediately beneath which a the gear will engage with and mesh with one longitudinal edge of the rack 38, as shown most clearly in Figure 5. Where two agitators are employed, as is preferable, the gear of one agitator meshes with one side of the rack while the gear of the other agitator meshes with the opposite side.

As a guide, to hold the reciprocable member 2'! in proper association with the rack, I prefer to mount a pair of plates 53 beneath the plate 27 and secured thereto by means of rivets 54 or the like. Each of the plates 53 is cut out to clear the corresponding gear 15, and is provided with an offset portion 55 adapted to engage slidably underneath the corresponding toothed edge of the rack 38.

The agitators are so constructed and sized with respect to the tray 23 that they he as closely as possible to the sides and bottom of the tray,

as shown most clearly in Figures 6 and 7.

From the description given, it will be obvious that when the handle 28 is grasped and pulled forwardly, the entire assembly associated with the plate 21 will be advanced forwardly, whereby the agitators will not only be individually rotated in the direction of the arrows of Figure '7, but will also be moved bodily through the tray. When the handle 28 has been pulled forwardly to its maximum extent, the rounded portions 6'1 of the gears will encounter the forward ends of the slots 25 and 26, at which time the agitators will be in the position shown in dot-and-dash lines in Figure 4. The rear movement of the plate 27 and its associated parts will rotate the agitators in the reverse direction and will move them bodily to their starting point, as shown in full-lines in Figure 4.

As a further guide for the reciprocable control member, I prefer to mount spacing members or pieces 56 at the extreme sides of the rear portion of the plate 21. These members may, for example, be of bakelite or similar material and serve to facilitate the sliding movement of the reciprocable member, and, at the same time, hold the gears and the rack in proper alignment and association.

When the device is used, the cover 26 is removed from the tray, and the cover will carry with it the reciprocable control member and the agitators associated therewith. The material to be frozen is then inserted into the tray 23 "and the cover replaced. The drawer then inserted into the refrigerator, as shown in Figure 'l, and at within the tray 23. When the material is completely frozen, it will be found to be completely homogeneous and smooth throughout, since every portion will have been subjected to agitation by virtue of the structural and operative characteristics of my present arrangement.

In Figures 11-14, I have illustrated a modified construction wherein the drawer cover itself serves as the reciprocable control member for the agitators. In this embodiment, the tray 60 is again provided with the outwardly and downwardly-turned flanges 6| at its upper periphery; but the cover member 62 is provided with downturned flanges 63 only along its sides so as to permit of free longitudinal sliding movement of the cover. The cover is also provided with the upturned handle portion 64 at its forward end.

A rack 65 is disposed over the cover 62 but is unconnected therewith, the rear portion of the rack having a downwardly and rearwardly-turned hook 656 or the like adapted to extend downwardly into engagement with a suitably prepared opening in the rear portion of the tray flange 6 l.

The agitators 61 and 68, which may be constructed as hereinbefore described, are supported from a plate 69 which is secured to the exterior of the cover 62, as, for example, by means of rivets H1 or the like. The plate 69 may be shaped in any desired manner, but it is preferable to shape it as shown in Figure 11, whereby it widens out-at the rear to overlie and cover over the gears 10 and H. The plate 69 is preferably provided with a downturned flange 12 around all but the rear of its periphery, so that the gears and the rack are completely concealed and protected while the drawer is in the refrigerator in its normal condition.

When the handle 64 is grasped and pulled forwardly, the rack 65 and the contents of the tray til will be temporarily exposed, but will be again and immediately concealed as the handle 64 is pushed backwardly to its normal position.

In removing the cover of the embodiment of Figures 1ll4, the rack is removed at the same time by an upward tilting of the cover so as to release the hook 66 from its engagement with the tray.

Preferably, the plate 69 is provided with the integral tabs 13 and 14 extending downwardly through the cover 62 at points immediately behind and immediately in front of the agitators, these tabs being adapted to serve as stops for the reciprocal movement, the rear tabs engaging the rear end of the tray under normal conditions, and the front tabs 14 encountering the front end of the tray when the reciprocable unit is advanced forwardly.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a construction which is not only extremely simple from a manufacturing standpoint, but which is compact and staunch from a practical users standpoint. The interior of the tray is left entirely clear for the accommodation of material to be frozen, except for the agitators themselves. The gears and rack are efficiently mounted and accommodated above the cover so as to be completely out of contact with the contents of the tray. Lubrication is not necessary at all since there are no complicated bearings or the like that may require-it, and in this way annoyance -ahd uneleanlines's' are completely prevented.

Furthermore, it will be bb'slVed that the pres ent device is readily tie-ants and capable of being maintained in eiean condition "at all 'ti-ins.

details herein described and illiisti'at'ed. If desired, a single agitator might be used; or it might be caused to function in a manner other than by rotating the same. Under certain circumstances, more than two agitators may be provided for. Or more than one rack or the like may be arranged to accomplish the same general function.

Furthermore, the construction of the agitators themselves is a matter of choice and design, and

I do not mean to restrict myself to the particular type of agitators illustrated nor to their manner of construction.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is therefore intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention and illus trated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is-- 1. A device of the class described including a removable tray or drawer having a cover and constructed and arranged to be placed in the cooling coil of a refrigerator and adapted to contain a fluid to be frozen, a rotatable agitator mounted on said cover to revolve on a vertical axis and extending into the liquid in said tray or drawer, longitudinally reciprocable means mounted on and outside of said cover for supporting said agitator and moving it bodily through said tray or drawer, and means automatically operable during said bodily movement for rotating said agitator about its axis, said means comprising a longitudinal rack fixedly positioned on said cover, and a gear assoicated with said agitator and adapted to mesh with and roll along the rack when said agitator is moved.

2. A device of the class described including a removable tray or drawer having a cover and constructed and arranged to be placed in a refrigerator adapted to contain a liquid to be frozen, a pair of rotatable agitators mounted on said cover to revolve on a vertical axes and arranged side by side and projecting into the liquid in said tray or drawer, and means for simultaneously moving said agitators bodily through the tray or drawer and also rotating them about their respective axes, said means comprising a double edged longitudinal rack fixedly positioned on said cover and gears carried by said cover and associated with said agitators and adapted to mesh with and roll along the edge of said rack when the agitators are reciprocated.

3. A device of the class described including a removable tray or drawer constructed and arranged to be placed in a refrigerator and adapted to contain a fluid to be frozen, a longitudinally slotted cover for said tray or drawer, a longitudinally reciprocable member slidably mounted on the outside of said cover, a spindle carried cover and adjacent said-slot,'a longitudinally reciprocable member slidably mounted on said cover, a spindle carried by said member and extending through said slot in the cover, an agitator on said spindle and projecting into the liquid in said tray or drawer, and a gear on said spindle disposed outside said cover and adapted to mesh with said rack whereby reciprocation of said member will rotate said agitator.

ARTHUR J. FELTAULT. 

